MegaDots Version 2.0 Current Bug List 8/17/98

We know that MegaDots version 2 has bugs. The purpose of this list is to alert people to bugs that have been noticed in version 2, with information on any work-arounds.

• We have learned that MegaDots 2.0 does not launch from Windows 95 on some Aptiva (IBM computers). You can boot to DOS and then launch MegaDots by typing MEGA <Enter>. We know this is a pain, and we are working to solve the problem. So far we know of about 8 customers with this problem. If this is a problem for you, contact us at 608-257-8833.
• There is a clash between OsCaR (OCR software from TeleSensory) and MegaDots. We have a fix. We have a one page fax telling how to deal with this conflict. Call 608-257-8833 for your copy of this material (also available in braille, large print, e-mail, and other formats).
• The Baby Nemeth style sheet does not work in the initial release of MegaDots 2.0. This has been fixed. If this has been a problem for you, call Braille Planet at 608-257-8833 for an update.
• The forward translator of version 2 did not work on Windows NT in the initial release of MegaDots 2.0. This has been fixed. If this has been a problem for you, call Braille Planet at 608-257-8833 for an update.
• MegaDots 2.0 works on OS/2, but we have had problems getting set up on OS/2. The part of MegaDots which does not work on an OS/2 is the configuring of inkprint printers. If you are running OS/2, call Braille Planet, tell us what inkprint printer you have, and we will create the necessary configuration files for you. We can snail mail or e-mail these files to you.
• The side by side inkprint printing modes create huge files with certain inkprint printers. The symptoms include taking 5-10 minutes to print a page or getting printer memory errors. The solution is to add the following to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file: SET SBYSFIX=1 <Enter>. All printing modes should work the next time you use MegaDots.
• Be careful sharing your MegaDots files with those with pre-version 2.0 MegaDots. If your friend has MegaDots 1.5 or MegaDots 1.6, and you want to send her a MegaDots file, use Control-F4 to export a file to "MegaDots version 1.5-1.6". If your friend has a MegaDots from before version 1.5, they need to get an upgrade. Your copy of MegaDots 2.0 will be able to read MegaDots files from earlier versions without any problems.
• We are aware that the OCR automatic fixup of text has some flaws. In late beta testing of MegaDots 2.0, some testers found files that caused these routines to crash. We are shipping this software despite these problems since we want to locate the problems and fix all the bugs. Please e-mail us any files that crash when you try to import them. You can avoid these problems if you desire by not asking for OCR fixup in your "File Import" Preferences. The critical prompt is "Optical Scanner Cleanup", avoid either "Text" or "Max".

Feel free to report any bugs with an e-mail message to David Holladay at davidh@brailleplanet.org or Caryn Navy at cnavy@execpc.com.

back to home page